Award

Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter - IRR

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

08 Oct 2025 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process was initiated by the University of Edinburgh for the purchase of a Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter to enhance the capabilities of their Institute for Regeneration & Repair. This award, tagged with both "award" and "contract" and classified under the "goods" category, pertains to the education industry within the Edinburgh region. The contract was signed on 6th October 2025, marking the completion of the award stage. The procurement method details indicate a limited procedure, specifically an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, due to the specialised nature of the equipment required.

This tender creates substantial business opportunities for companies in the biotech and scientific equipment manufacturing sectors, particularly those specialising in advanced cytometry technologies. The contract was successfully awarded to Cytek Biosciences B.V., highlighting the need for unique technical capabilities suited to the University’s high-parameter and high-performance requirements. Businesses with expertise in innovative flow cytometry and supporting cutting-edge academic research can greatly benefit from engaging with such tailored procurement processes, supporting continued growth and development in Scotland’s life sciences sector.

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Notice Title

Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter - IRR

Notice Description

Researchers at the Institute for Regeneration & Repair (IRR) at the University of Edinburgh, the world's largest institute dedicated to research in inflammation, regeneration, and repair, aim to understand the cellular and molecular basis of human disease to identify novel therapeutic targets. IRR brings together three centres: Inflammation Research, Regenerative Medicine, and Reproductive Health. The IRR Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Facility is one of the UK's leading cytometry facilities and Scotland's first adopter of spectral flow cytometry. Spectral cytometry enables high-parameter analysis without compromising data quality. The facility currently operates two 4-laser Cytek Aurora analysers, which are widely used by researchers across the University of Edinburgh and the BioQuarter campus. The facility now seeks to complement their analysers with a Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter (CS) to expand functionality and provide users with a complete high-dimensional workflow, from identification to isolation and downstream analysis.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Researchers at the Institute for Regeneration & Repair (IRR) at the University of Edinburgh, the world's largest institute dedicated to research in inflammation, regeneration, and repair, aim to understand the cellular and molecular basis of human disease to identify novel therapeutic targets. IRR brings together three centres: Inflammation Research, Regenerative Medicine, and Reproductive Health. The IRR Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Facility is one of the UK's leading cytometry facilities and Scotland's first adopter of spectral flow cytometry. Spectral cytometry enables high-parameter analysis without compromising data quality. The facility currently operates two 4-laser Cytek Aurora analysers, which are widely used by researchers across the University of Edinburgh and the BioQuarter campus. The facility now seeks to complement their analysers with a Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter (CS) to expand functionality and provide users with a complete high-dimensional workflow, from identification to isolation and downstream analysis.

Procurement Information

The IRR Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Facility is one of the UK's leading cytometry facilities and Scotland's first adopter of spectral flow cytometry. Spectral cytometry enables high-parameter analysis without compromising data quality. The facility currently operates two 4-laser Cytek Aurora analysers. The facility now seeks to complement their analysers with a Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter (CS) to expand functionality and provide users with a complete high-dimensional workflow, from identification to isolation and downstream analysis. The Aurora CS is the only instrument that offers full compatibility with the existing Aurora analysers, including shared software, unmixing algorithms, and autofluorescence extraction capabilities, which is critical for reproducibility. This compatibility will allow users to seamlessly transfer complex multicolour panels from analysis to sorting with minimal re-optimisation or retraining. The Aurora CS offers: - Matched configuration with the facility's analysers for streamlined experimental transfer. - Addition of a yellow-green laser, providing expanded fluorochrome options and enabling even more complex panel design. - Ability to sort up to six populations simultaneously on any nozzle size. - Enhanced small particle detection, due to a flat-top beam profile with narrow vertical height--this opens up experimental capabilities not currently available in the facility - Longitudinal and clinical research studies, including human tissue, where sample quantity and integrity are limited, and high-dimensional sorting is crucial. Adding the Aurora CS to the facility will significantly enhance the research capabilities of IRR and the broader user base. It will support high-dimensional sorting workflows, especially for rare or limited human samples, enable researchers to perform downstream assays from already-established Aurora panels by providing a matched, high-performance sorter, supporting reproducibility, efficiency, and innovation, enhancing the facility's reputation and capability, benefiting both academic and commercial partners. Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong demand for the ability to sort from Aurora panels becoming a critical need that currently cannot be met.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000812492
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540950
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages


CPV Codes

30132300 - Sorters

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£384,357 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Jorga Maria Koppers Couper
Contact Email
jcouper@ed.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1316502759

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CYTEK BIOSCIENCES

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT540950
    Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter - IRR - Researchers at the Institute for Regeneration & Repair (IRR) at the University of Edinburgh, the world's largest institute dedicated to research in inflammation, regeneration, and repair, aim to understand the cellular and molecular basis of human disease to identify novel therapeutic targets. IRR brings together three centres: Inflammation Research, Regenerative Medicine, and Reproductive Health. The IRR Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Facility is one of the UK's leading cytometry facilities and Scotland's first adopter of spectral flow cytometry. Spectral cytometry enables high-parameter analysis without compromising data quality. The facility currently operates two 4-laser Cytek Aurora analysers, which are widely used by researchers across the University of Edinburgh and the BioQuarter campus. The facility now seeks to complement their analysers with a Cytek Aurora Cell Sorter (CS) to expand functionality and provide users with a complete high-dimensional workflow, from identification to isolation and downstream analysis.

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